Hard Time Managing Chemo Symptoms - Can't Eat

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SS_Lilac
SS_Lilac Member Posts: 1
edited April 2020 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

My mother is on a very strong regimen of chemotherapy since she is HER2+ and stage 4 breast cancer. She is having difficulty with swallowing and eating food, however, she has not lost her appetite fully. Mom is finding it very painful to eat any types of: bland food, water, smoothie, puree or soft/overcooked foods of any kind.

We suspect that she has mouth sores in her throat from the chemo that is causing pain when swallowing, because of this, mom is getting extremely weak and dehydrated from not being able to eat even the smallest morsel of food and drink.

Any suggestions/tips on how to manage the painful throat sores and inability to swallow is much appreciated.

p.s. Also, recipes for foods that are soft or puree and easy on the digestive system.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited April 2020

    SS_Lilac, I'm sorry your mom is enduring this. She needs to call her doctor and discuss this distressing problem. Without fluids and nourishment her body can't recover from the effects of chemo.

    There's some stuff called "magic mouthwash" that helps sometimes. Your mom's oncologist is surely familiar with it.

    Sending gentle hugs--SB

    https://www.verywellhealth.com/magic-mouthwash-for...

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited April 2020

    definitely report mouth sores to your oncologist. There are prescription mouth and throat rinses that can numb temporarily and heal the mouth and throat sores

    Also most cancer centers have dietitians on staff who can help with meal planning and recipes.

    Watch her hydration because she may need to go for IV fluids to keep her hemodynamically stable

    Let us know what resources you have at your cancer center

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